This talk explores the critical need for human connection in the workplace, especially in a society overwhelmed by “weapons of mass distraction” like technology and productivity pressure. Through the deeply personal story of losing her 25-year-old daughter to lupus, the speaker highlights the profound emotional toll of presenteeism; being physically at work while mentally and emotionally absent. Despite being a therapist supporting corporate employees, she found herself unsupported in her own grief, exposing how companies often address pain with impersonal policies or pamphlets rather than empathy. She introduces a powerful “3-in-3” strategy for leaders to foster grief-sensitive workplaces: Admit the loss, Omit judgment, and Emit empathy. Citing economic data and examples like Steve Jobs and Dr. King, the talk argues that addressing grief head-on leads to stronger, more connected teams and more resilient organizations. The speaker urges leaders to stop outsourcing emotional care and instead embed empathy into workplace culture, because true leadership emerges not in comfort, but in how we respond to loss and human suffering.Montrella Cowan is the CEO of Affinity Health Affairs, LLC, a licensed therapist, entrepreneur, business coach, and USA Today bestselling author with over 20 years of experience. She provides training, keynote speaking, and coaching in wellness, wealth, and leadership.Host of The Montrella Cowan Show, she has worked with Fortune 500 companies like Marriott and Fannie Mae. A nine-time bestselling author, she co-wrote Game On: Leaders Who Last.Recognized as a 2022 Top 100 Joy Awards Finalist, Montrella’s expertise has been featured in Essence, The Washington Post, Fox, NPR, NBC, and ABC. She holds degrees from Howard University and Catholic University and enjoys dancing and traveling. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In this talk the speaker talks about how we underestimate ourselves and how we can become extraordinary from ordinary human beings. At times adversity makes us better version of ourselves. There has been several examples where the great leaders were built through growth mindset. Rakesh Kaul, with over 28 years of experience across consumer durables, retail, and telecom, is the MD & CEO of Livpure. He drives innovation, customer-centric solutions, and growth through digital transformation and strategic partnerships. Known for his “Heart Leadership” approach, Rakesh blends empathy with strategic thinking to build high-performance, trust-driven cultures. Previously, he held key leadership roles at Hindware, Karbonn Mobiles, Reliance Retail, Times Group, Onida, and Whirlpool, where he led major transformations and brand expansions. At Livpure, he mentors future leaders through structured programs and champions people development. He recently authored Winning Markets with Heart Leadership, a book that emphasizes the human side of leadership, aiming to inspire leaders to lead with love and purpose. Rakesh’s journey reflects his commitment to impactful leadership and business excellence. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx